Belarusian police seize huge illegal arsenal of weapons

MINSK, 24 September (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met with State Secretary of the Security Council Stanislav Zas and Chairman of the State Border Committee Anatoly Lappo on 24 September, BelTA has learned.

The participants of the meeting discussed the possible increase in the number of border guards and stepping up efforts in certain areas. “We will do it where we need it. We made a decision to reinforce the border with Ukraine. We see how much trouble comes to Belarus from there, including weapons smuggling. We must close the border, not for honest people but for criminals, for those who smuggle weapons,” the head of state said.

In this context Alexander Lukashenko cited the information from the report by Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Shunevich. “The minister has just reported to me that they have apprehended a person carrying machine guns, a dozen of assault rifles, two dozens of rifles, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and so on and so forth,” the head of state unveiled the details.

“Do they collect all that? But that was military-grade ammunition. Where did they take it from? Everything is in place in our army. It was brought into our country. Therefore, a decision was made to reinforce the border with Ukraine. Indeed, we need more people. Let's look into the matter. It makes no sense to add 100 or 1,000 people here and there. We should increase personnel numbers where it is necessary,” the Belarusian president added.